Roses to Leo Parsons for volunteer service

Saturday, June 22, 2013

ROSES to Leo Parsons who received the Huston Distinguished Service Award from the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley for 19 years of volunteer service to the community. Parsons, former YMCA of the Brandywine Valley board member and president and COO of Communications Test Design Inc., was honored with the award at the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley’s annual meeting in April. “When we award it at our annual meeting we have about 180 people in attendance and it’s nice to be able to recognize them in front of their peers and people who they love (and) who often times have made their own sacrifices because the person is out volunteering during their free time to continue to make a positive impact,” said Denise Day, CEO of the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley. Along with volunteering for the Capital Campaign that raised money to expand the West Chester YMCA, Parsons and his wife, Maryanne, who live in Chester Springs, volunteer with the Good Kids Dinner, which raises funds to provide financial assistance for children and families that cannot afford to pay full fee for programs and services.

THORNS to the Internal Revenue Service for plans to hand out millions of dollars in employee bonuses even though the administration has ordered bonuses curtailed because of spending cuts. The IRS is preparing to pay $70 million in employee bonuses claiming legal obligations under a union contract. Sen. Chuck Grassley says the bonuses should have been canceled under an April directive from the White House budget office. This comes on top of recent revelations about IRS exorbitant spending on conference stays for employees in luxury hotel suites. And, that came after it was revealed agents had improperly targeted conservative groups for scrutiny regarding tax-exempt status. It seems pretty clear that the IRS is the agency that needs some extra scrutiny and a good housecleaning.

THORNS to the Pennsylvania Legislature for failing to address Pennsylvania’s $47 billion public pension liability despite a yearlong push by Gov. Tom Corbett drawing attention to the issue in an effort to inspire action on reform. The Senate Finance Committee this week advanced only one portion of Corbett’s proposal to address the drain on Pennsylvania’s revenue. From its introduction in February, lawmakers gave a lukewarm response to Corbett’s proposal and never actively engaged in debating it until now, days before the end of the current fiscal year. The problem is unpleasant but that’s no reason to ignore it. Legislative leadership and action is needed.

Betty Sweet of West Bradford would like to give ROSES to three members in the Downingtown Police Department. On Sunday June 9, Sweet said she was out making a routine trip when her car died on the side of Route 30. Sweet, who is 91, was stranded on the side of the road and had no charge in her cell phone which turned the 30-minute trip turned into a 4-hour nightmare. Coming to her aid were Downingtown Officers Robert Malarick, Michael Naseef and Sgt. Christian Cummins.

ROSES to the nonprofit foundation working to restore Sunnybrook Ballroom to its former grandeur. Last weekend marked five years since the foundation reopened the venue, now known as SunnyBrook, opening the ballroom and later the adjoining bar and restaurant as a facility for large gatherings and a dining spot for families. The qualities of Sunnybrook from the past, its expansive space and large wooden dance floor, made it a popular space for music of the big band era. That history also makes it a popular space for large gatherings today. Sunnybrook has historically been a gem and the region benefits from its restoration.